Scotland manager Gordon Strachan has paid tribute to Darren Fletcher as the national team captain gets set to collect his 75th cap in next Saturday’s World Cup qualifier against Lithuania.

Some thirteen years after making his international debut in a goal-less friendly away to Norway, the West Brom midfielder will reach the impressive milestone when he leads the team out for the Group F clash at Hampden.

And should Fletcher also feature in the October 11 encounter away to Slovakia, the 32-year-old will move up to joint-fourth alongside former Celtic midfielder Paul McStay on the roll of honours list.

Strachan, who handed the armband back to Fletcher following Celtic skipper Scott Brown’s decision to retire from international football, said: “As a young player, whether I was at Dundee, Aberdeen or in the Scotland squad, you get some of your best coaching and your best learning experiences looking at great players and how great players go about their job.

“Darren brings his ability, professionalism and his determination to the squad but he’s also a great barometer for other players and what they should be doing.”